Hospitalized woman identifies attacker by detective reciting alphabet

[MetalHybrid]

Another Old UM story I have not seen in 11, 12, maybe even 13 years. I recall the woman was black, and had been assaulted so badly that she was not able to speak, so the detective went to her bedside in the hospital and asked her to squeeze his hand if she knew her attacker. She gave a response that she did, and he told her that he would go through the alphabet and wanted her to squeeze his hand when he recited the first letter of the person's name. She responded when he said W. And this is all I remember. Maybe this is the Wadada case, but than again maybe not. If it is not, can anyone give me details as to where it happened, and when(month/year)?

[crystaldawn]

Another Old UM story I have not seen in 11, 12, maybe even 13 years. I recall the woman was black, and had been assaulted so badly that she was not able to speak, so the detective went to her bedside in the hospital and asked her to squeeze his hand if she knew her attacker. She gave a response that she did, and he told her that he would go through the alphabet and wanted her to squeeze his hand when he recited the first letter of the person's name. She responded when he said W. And this is all I remember. Maybe this is the Wadada case, but than again maybe not. If it is not, can anyone give me details as to where it happened, and when(month/year)?

Yes it is the Wadada case. The victim was white though (Wadada was black) and her name was Sarah Beard. I have it on tape (its on volume 4 actually) so let me know if you need to know anymore details and I can rewatch it.

[MetalHybrid]

Just when it actually took place. I recall from reading Lifetime's website that it was somewhere in near University New Mexico, though it did not specify the town. Also if you know the original date that it aired, that would do. I recall that it was some time between 94-95 though it could have been first shown in 93.

[crystaldawn]

Just when it actually took place. I recall from reading Lifetime's website that it was somewhere in near University New Mexico, though it did not specify the town. Also if you know the original date that it aired, that would do. I recall that it was some time between 94-95 though it could have been first shown in 93.

It happened on or very near 12/8/88 in Albuquerque. It said her apartment was very near the University of New Mexico. I have the NBC episode of this that aired in 6/94 but its a repeat. I believe this is the original airing:

February 2, 1994

Reports include the 1932 discover in Wyoming of a small mummified human; a viewer top leading to a suspect's arrest in Canada; a series of Mississippi jail deaths that may be linked to racially-motivated crimes of the 1960s; the search for a New Mexico rapist.

[MetalHybrid]

Thanks. I have yet to see a rerun of it. Was it ever solved?

[crystaldawn]

Was it ever solved?

I couldn't find out anything about it on the net so I don't know if he was ever captured.

[Kane]

I couldn't find out anything about it on the net so I don't know if he was ever captured.

I haven't had any luck either. I guess our best hope would be to contact the authorities in New Mexico, and ask them about the current status of that case.

[unsolved88]

I remember seeing this case for the first time in 1998 when I was 9. The sketch of Wadada's disfigured hand scared the hell out of me!

[Kane]

I remember seeing this case for the first time in 1998 when I was 9. The sketch of Wadada's disfigured hand scared the hell out of me!

Cases like this make me leery of guys with long dreadlocks. As for men with medium-sized or short dreadlocks, however, I'm okay with them.

[crystaldawn]

Cases like this make me leery of guys with long dreadlocks. As for men with medium-sized or short dreadlocks, however, I'm okay with them.

Yep its the long dreadlocks you have to be weary of....:lol:

An interesting note about this segment. I was reading some of the posts on the jump the shark website where people were discussing when and if they thought UM jumped the shark. Anyway some guy mentioned he had to ride on an airplane with the guy he recognized as the actor who played Wadada on UM and talked about how totally freaked out he was to have to ride on the plane with him. Thought you guys might find that interesting. :)

[mphs95]

Yep its the long dreadlocks you have to be weary of....:lol:

An interesting note about this segment. I was reading some of the posts on the jump the shark website where people were discussing when and if they thought UM jumped the shark. Anyway some guy mentioned he had to ride on an airplane with the guy he recognized as the actor who played Wadada on UM and talked about how totally freaked out he was to have to ride on the plane with him. Thought you guys might find that interesting. :)

That is pretty wicked. Thanks for sharing w/ us crystaldawn

[LooksLikeCRicci]

Cases like this make me leery of guys with long dreadlocks. As for men with medium-sized or short dreadlocks, however, I'm okay with them.


Kane never ceases to crack me up. :)

[sunny605]

I have been waiting to see a rerun of this for years. My brother and I used to freak my sister out by chanting, in a whisper, "Wadada...Wadada..." Wow, talk about evil.

[Mystery Lover]

So I just searched MySpace for Wadada and I was surprised that it turned up 3 pages!!! Wonder if any of them is the Wadada that hurt that girl Sarah Beard.

[justins5256]

So I just searched MySpace for Wadada and I was surprised that it turned up 3 pages!!! Wonder if any of them is the Wadada that hurt that girl Sarah Beard.

This guy was a scumbag. Not only for what he did to Sarah, but because he leeched off starving college students. Like we have any money.

[Mystery Lover]

This guy was a scumbag. Not only for what he did to Sarah, but because he leeched off starving college students. Like we have any money.


I'd really like this guy caught too. Doubt he's on MySpace but you never know. Anyone know where I can see a pic of him?

[justins5256]

I'd really like this guy caught too. Doubt he's on MySpace but you never know. Anyone know where I can see a pic of him?

There was a composite shown on UM. Maybe someone can do a screen grab.

[RightOnDude]

close to artist's rendition:

http://www.poster.net/marley-bob/marley-bob-joint-5000321.jpg

[kamy]

:lol: :lol: Sooooo close......!

[everybodylovesrs]

If alive today (Intelius lists her), she's 37 and still in New Mexico. However , Newsbank turned up no articles or mentions of a Sarah from New Mexico or this case. Also, if she knew Wadada, she or one of her friends must have some more information about him. It's possible this took place in either Albuquerque or Rio Rancho (20 minutes away from Albuquerque according to Mapquest).

[Mastermind]

So I just searched MySpace for Wadada and I was surprised that it turned up 3 pages!!! Wonder if any of them is the Wadada that hurt that girl Sarah Beard.

Wadadda is a very common name in African and Carribean world.

Its been supposed that Wadadda went back to the French Carribean, which in unfortunately means he probably will never be found, given how easy it is to hide in those communities.

Hiding in the French Carribean is like hiding in Siberia, Russia or Katmandou.

[Coffeeface]

That's what I thought too, he went back to the Caribbean. Never find him there. That piece of ****.

[DALLASTEXAN!!]

I just watched this episode. it is crazy to think this guy may have never been caught considering how well known he is. I must say UM did a great job of creeping people out. the claw drawing was more scary than a mug shot. this dude must be in jail or out of the country? either that or he did a great job hiding.

[RobinW]

This is a very unique UM case in which the victim, her family and many of her acquaintances actually knew the attacker personally, but none of them ever learned his last name! And obviously, no one ever took a photograph of him since they had to rely on a composite sketch.

You'd think this one would be solvable, but it seems Wadada never told his acquaintances too much about himself and was able to live without leaving a paper trail.

[UMFaninMD]

I also suspect Sarah Beard was not his first and last victim either.

[TracyLynnS]

Just started watched this episode.

While in the hospital, Sarah could not communicate verbally, however she was alert and aware. Her father asked her to squeeze his hand as he spelled his own name through the alphabet and she squeezed, indicating she knew her father was speaking to her and she knew his name.

He asked her if she knew her attacker. She squeezed his hand, acknowledging that, yes, she knew him.

They then went through the alphabet again to spell the attacker's name. When the got to W her parents asked if it was "william" the answer was no. They asked if it was "wadada" she squeezed her dad's had to answer yes, BUT....

The cops could do nothing because she could not verbally name her attacker!?

Her jaw was broken, she'd been beaten in the head with a hammer at least 11 times, and the doctors weren't sure that she'd ever be able to speak again. I mean, come on! Steven Hawking hasn't communicated verbally in years. Does that invalidate what he "says"?

IMO, Sarah named her attacker by the only means of communication she had. What the heck was up with that excuse?

Oh, and once she could finally speak, weeks later, the cops kept interviewing her and made her name the attacker verbally during several different interviews.

Did this cause a delay in the investigation? Did it contribute to messing up the case and not finding the guy, or did they start looking for him when she first named him with the hand squeezes?

[DALLASTEXAN!!]

Just started watched this episode.

While in the hospital, Sarah could not communicate verbally, however she was alert and aware. Her father asked her to squeeze his hand as he spelled his own name through the alphabet and she squeezed, indicating she knew her father was speaking to her and she knew his name.

He asked her if she knew her attacker. She squeezed his hand, acknowledging that, yes, she knew him.

They then went through the alphabet again to spell the attacker's name. When the got to W her parents asked if it was "william" the answer was no. They asked if it was "wadada" she squeezed her dad's had to answer yes, BUT....

The cops could do nothing because she could not verbally name her attacker!?

Her jaw was broken, she'd been beaten in the head with a hammer at least 11 times, and the doctors weren't sure that she'd ever be able to speak again. I mean, come on! Steven Hawking hasn't communicated verbally in years. Does that invalidate what he "says"?

IMO, Sarah named her attacker by the only means of communication she had. What the heck was up with that excuse?

Oh, and once she could finally speak, weeks later, the cops kept interviewing her and made her name the attacker verbally during several different interviews.

Did this cause a delay in the investigation? Did it contribute to messing up the case and not finding the guy, or did they start looking for him when she first named him with the hand squeezes?
I watched this one a few weeks back myself. and I can't get it out of my head because of the waddada and the mugshot. I'm sure they were probably looking for him asap as he would have been a suspect once she identified him nonverbally. it may not have been enough to charge him, but enough to question him and force a confession. I imagine he probably left the area right after the attack. the dude seemed psychotic, not just because of the way he attacked her, but the way he was talking to her during the assault. Or as bob stack said about other cases, high on drugs. I hope this dude got what was coming to him.

[DALLASTEXAN!!]

close to artist's rendition:

http://www.poster.net/marley-bob/marley-bob-joint-5000321.jpg
I would replace his hand with chupacabra's claw

[lordlynightshade]

I find it very likely that Sarah and her friends may have really known nothing about the guy. There's always mysterious drifters that hang around college campuses. For instance there was one guy that would just hang around the art department at my school and he only ever identified himself as "Blade of Grass". No, I'm not kidding. No one ever knew his real name and he disappeared a few months back. These kinds of people are usually very nice and interesting, but they do tend to leech off friendly students (like Wadada did).

Furthermore, maybe Wadada wasn't even his real name. Maybe he had a more "normal" name and chose it to identify with his heritage. Of course, I have no proof but i find it very possible.

[DALLASTEXAN!!]

I find it very likely that Sarah and her friends may have really known nothing about the guy. There's always mysterious drifters that hang around college campuses. For instance there was one guy that would just hang around the art department at my school and he only ever identified himself as "Blade of Grass". No, I'm not kidding. No one ever knew his real name and he disappeared a few months back. These kinds of people are usually very nice and interesting, but they do tend to leech off friendly students (like Wadada did).

Furthermore, maybe Wadada wasn't even his real name. Maybe he had a more "normal" name and chose it to identify with his heritage. Of course, I have no proof but i find it very possible.
true, it appears he was a leach and probably went to another college campus in the US unless he left the country.
I don't understand how you can do this to people. One of the more brutal attacks I've seen on UM and it is unfortunate that he got away considering how quick she was able to identify him.

[WishfulDreamer]

Yeah, there are creepers on my college campus as well. One strange person claims he's an alumni, but I don't believe it for a second. He tried to bother me freshman year, but after I finally told him to go away, he hasn't bothered me. I saw him once this year (I'm about to graduate) and gave him the stinkeye and he left me alone. I have to admit that the Wadada thing was on my mind, but I luckily do live with three other girls on the top floor of a building.

[DALLASTEXAN!!]

Yeah, there are creepers on my college campus as well. One strange person claims he's an alumni, but I don't believe it for a second. He tried to bother me freshman year, but after I finally told him to go away, he hasn't bothered me. I saw him once this year (I'm about to graduate) and gave him the stinkeye and he left me alone. I have to admit that the Wadada thing was on my mind, but I luckily do live with three other girls on the top floor of a building.
I joined the air force after high school and am getting my degree online instead of going to a traditional school. Sometimes I wish that I could have gotten the college campus experience because it looks so fun. So I can't really relate to what you all are saying about drifters. But when I do go to college campus areas it does look like it would be easy to blend in because they are like their own towns. I currently live in a city near cincinnati ohio. I see and hear about students getting attacked on campus all of the time. ONe of my close friends actually got mugged when he was jogging on campus at night(thinking that it was safe for him to jog there). People break into their dorms attack them after dark, etc. college students are easy victims to inhumane animals like wadada/ted bundy/etc. luckily those types of people are few and far between. I think most college crimes are petty so there isn't a whole lot to fear?

[WishfulDreamer]

I joined the air force after high school and am getting my degree online instead of going to a traditional school. Sometimes I wish that I could have gotten the college campus experience because it looks so fun. So I can't really relate to what you all are saying about drifters. But when I do go to college campus areas it does look like it would be easy to blend in because they are like their own towns. I currently live in a city near cincinnati ohio. I see and hear about students getting attacked on campus all of the time. ONe of my close friends actually got mugged when he was jogging on campus at night(thinking that it was safe for him to jog there). People break into their dorms attack them after dark, etc. college students are easy victims to inhumane animals like wadada/ted bundy/etc. luckily those types of people are few and far between. I think most college crimes are petty so there isn't a whole lot to fear?

I go to a private university in Los Angeles, and we have less than 10,000 undergrads and graduates combined. And even though we're on the smaller side, drifters can totally blend in. There have been weird guys who have managed to sneak into residence halls, but luckily, no one ever got hurt. I routinely walk around late at night and have never had a problem (though I do try to keep a level head and make sure to have my guard up). The most violent crime that ever happened on campus (that I know of) is that when we had a festival where other college students come and listen to bands, a student got stabbed randomly but luckily was alright. The festival has a lot of drug users in attendance and people get high out of their minds, but our campus security is really good about looking out for us. I know that the bigger colleges, such as Cal Polytech where Kristin Smart vanished, all have higher rates of sexual assaults and violence. I guess that's to be expected when you have way more students and a bigger campus.

Oh, and our housing is pretty good. If you're an underclassman, at night to get in you have to be checked in. Since I'm a senior, my building doesn't have that but all rooms need cards (and corresponding codes) to get in. So it's very difficult to have someone break into your room. A couple months ago people ripped off window screens and stole laptops, apparently. I'm too high up for anyone to do that, so I feel pretty safe.

I would definitely NOT feel safe if I attended USC. I hear about bad things going on there all the time. If you didn't already know, it's in a very unsavory part of L.A. and crime rates are awful. And a lot of the housing is around campus rather than on it. I would not feel at ease ever and wouldn't do half the things I enjoy doing now on my own campus. It's a great college, but I like my sense of security here.

[lordlynightshade]

Yeah, luckily codes and cards are becoming mainstays in on-campus housing at schools. Drifters and such can totally blend in well, even the most eccentric ones. I do remember something in the UM segment about Sarah being an art student, and as an art student myself I can totally admit that the most bizarre and eccentric drifters could totally blend in. Case in point, the Blade individual at my school. He would just hang around the art building and observe the drawing classes and even play the pianos in the adjoined music department building. He always had a billion interesting stories to share so he made friends with people quickly.

I find it more likely that Wadada continued drifting around colleges than that he returned to the French Caribbean. But then again, the information on him is so limited that we can't really make a whole lot of assumptions on if he had money to flee, etc.

[DALLASTEXAN!!]

Yeah, luckily codes and cards are becoming mainstays in on-campus housing at schools. Drifters and such can totally blend in well, even the most eccentric ones. I do remember something in the UM segment about Sarah being an art student, and as an art student myself I can totally admit that the most bizarre and eccentric drifters could totally blend in. Case in point, the Blade individual at my school. He would just hang around the art building and observe the drawing classes and even play the pianos in the adjoined music department building. He always had a billion interesting stories to share so he made friends with people quickly.

I find it more likely that Wadada continued drifting around colleges than that he returned to the French Caribbean. But then again, the information on him is so limited that we can't really make a whole lot of assumptions on if he had money to flee, etc.
I was actually thinking earlier that maybe he is frequenting foreign colleges(knowing that many college students in the USA would be looking out for him after that UM segment went on the air)

But you never know. He might have blended easily somewhere and was never caught.

[DALLASTEXAN!!]

I go to a private university in Los Angeles, and we have less than 10,000 undergrads and graduates combined. And even though we're on the smaller side, drifters can totally blend in. There have been weird guys who have managed to sneak into residence halls, but luckily, no one ever got hurt. I routinely walk around late at night and have never had a problem (though I do try to keep a level head and make sure to have my guard up). The most violent crime that ever happened on campus (that I know of) is that when we had a festival where other college students come and listen to bands, a student got stabbed randomly but luckily was alright. The festival has a lot of drug users in attendance and people get high out of their minds, but our campus security is really good about looking out for us. I know that the bigger colleges, such as Cal Polytech where Kristin Smart vanished, all have higher rates of sexual assaults and violence. I guess that's to be expected when you have way more students and a bigger campus.

Oh, and our housing is pretty good. If you're an underclassman, at night to get in you have to be checked in. Since I'm a senior, my building doesn't have that but all rooms need cards (and corresponding codes) to get in. So it's very difficult to have someone break into your room. A couple months ago people ripped off window screens and stole laptops, apparently. I'm too high up for anyone to do that, so I feel pretty safe.

I would definitely NOT feel safe if I attended USC. I hear about bad things going on there all the time. If you didn't already know, it's in a very unsavory part of L.A. and crime rates are awful. And a lot of the housing is around campus rather than on it. I would not feel at ease ever and wouldn't do half the things I enjoy doing now on my own campus. It's a great college, but I like my sense of security here.
Well that's good, I'm glad you are safe and I do agree with you about USC. I've been there once(not on the campus, but near there). Typically it is more dangerous in larger urban areas of campus' especially like Cincinnati. University of Houston is in a terrible area too(probably one of the worst areas i've ever seen for a major college). It is weird because Cincy is such an old run down city and there will be ghettos that border high society areas(kind of like LA in a sense I guess). The campus is pretty much surrounded by ghetto, but people are typically safe there. I deal with the Air Force ROTC there. But here lately there have been a lot of night prowlers and muggings. I guess all it takes is one idiot to ruin it for everyone. I think there is one prowler going around the campus and has yet to be caught. I'm not sure if it is a student or an outsider...or if they have been caught because it has been a while since I have heard about a crime which is good.

[Mysteryphile]

Thought I read on these boards ol' Wadadda was recently caught? If I remember it was about 3-4 months ago...Im going to search through the boards and see if I can find it

I have searched the boards and looked on the news and nothing saying he's been caught...but I was POSITIVE I'd read it on here...hmmm....

[DALLASTEXAN!!]

Thought I read on these boards ol' Wadadda was recently caught? If I remember it was about 3-4 months ago...Im going to search through the boards and see if I can find it

I have searched the boards and looked on the news and nothing saying he's been caught...but I was POSITIVE I'd read it on here...hmmm....
Yeah I haven't heard anything. Not updated on the wiki site either. It sucks when we know the suspect and you still can't find him. He probably left the country and blended instanly since he was fluent in other languages. I think if he stayed in the USA it is likely he would have been found rather quickly?

[Mysteryphile]

Yeah I haven't heard anything. Not updated on the wiki site either. It sucks when we know the suspect and you still can't find him. He probably left the country and blended instanly since he was fluent in other languages. I think if he stayed in the USA it is likely he would have been found rather quickly?)

Well maybe he wouldn't have been because I am sure there are areas in america with a large population of...tobago (is that where he was from?) people..so if he was there he would just blend in with the other people and wouldnt stand out as much.

I asked CrystalDawn and for sure he hasn't been caught yet.

[ontarioboi]

i always felt it was likely that he might of already been a criminal and maybe has been to jail for unrelated charges. I mean, noone even knows his real name.

Heck, he even could be dead now for all we know. Very unlikely he gets caught for this crime in my view.

[1990 UM fan]

Some even suggest that the name "Wadada" was an alias. There is a jazz composer by the name of Wadada Leo Smith that also sometimes has dread locks. I wonder if this perp used his name as one of his few aliases?

I'm also curious to know if the statute of limitations for rape in New Mexico have run out in this case already since it's been 23+ years since Sarah was bludgeoned and raped.

[TracyLynnS]

I'm also curious to know if the statute of limitations for rape in New Mexico have run out in this case already since it's been 23+ years since Sarah was bludgeoned and raped.

I'm terrible at understanding written law but here's what this site has to say (WARNING slightly GRAPHIC LANGUAGE):

http://www.theforensicnurse.com/Rape_and_sexual_assault_Statute_of_limitations_by_state.cfm#NM

Prosecution may commence at any time after the occurrence of a capital felony or a first degree violent felony...

...Criminal sexual penetration in the first degree is a first degree felony and consists of all sexual penetration perpetrated ... by the use of force or coercion that results in great bodily harm or great mental anguish to the victim...

I snipped out a bunch of info. The full text is at the link.

To me, that sounds like the crime committed against Sarah is a 1st degree felony without a statute of limitations. Although... I don't know what the law was at the time of her attack and if that old law would apply or if this law would be the one that's applicable to her case.

I remember seeing a program about a woman (in California, I think) who was raped and by the time they found her attacker, the statute of limitations had just run out. It was only 6 years, IIRC.

Also according to the link above, in NM if there is DNA available the statute of limitations on lesser crimes doesn't start up until the DNA is matched against a suspect. Then the clock starts ticking.

[DALLASTEXAN!!]

)

Well maybe he wouldn't have been because I am sure there are areas in america with a large population of...tobago (is that where he was from?) people..so if he was there he would just blend in with the other people and wouldnt stand out as much.

I asked CrystalDawn and for sure he hasn't been caught yet.
very true, he could blend in somewhere. especially somewhere like florida or New York City. I just figure he may have gone out of the country at first where maybe he wasn't being searched for.

[Mysteryphile]

Some even suggest that the name "Wadada" was an alias. There is a jazz composer by the name of Wadada Leo Smith that also sometimes has dread locks. I wonder if this perp used his name as one of his few aliases?

I'm also curious to know if the statute of limitations for rape in New Mexico have run out in this case already since it's been 23+ years since Sarah was bludgeoned and raped.

I would think attempted rape is going to be the least of "wadada's" worries-he basically tried to murder her and would have succeeded if her mom hadn't have found her.

As we all know there is no statue of limitation on murder...so whenever the police finally find him he'll be going away for a long time.

[TracyLynnS]

Sort of related..... yesterday I was half watching some show on ID or one of those channels and they were talking about a murder in NM that happened quite a while ago. Maybe the 70s or very early 80s?

New Mexico used to have a 15 year statute of limitations on murder! In the case presented, since that law was in place at the time, even if the killer was caught now he'd couldn't be tried because the old law applies.

So crazy. And I was under the impression that no state had statute of limitations on murder, ever. How frustrating would that be, trying to solve a cold case only to find out that it can't even be legally prosecuted.

[1990 UM fan]

I would think attempted rape is going to be the least of "wadada's" worries-he basically tried to murder her and would have succeeded if her mom hadn't have found her.

As we all know there is no statue of limitation on murder...so whenever the police finally find him he'll be going away for a long time.

She survived though, so I'm hoping they can at least push an attempted murder charge on him.

[baloony]

I just watched this episode. it is crazy to think this guy may have never been caught considering how well known he is. I must say UM did a great job of creeping people out. the claw drawing was more scary than a mug shot. this dude must be in jail or out of the country? either that or he did a great job hiding.

Yes. That claw hand was just eerie!